D 

MARS' MASTER 

A Classical Exposition of Material Influences 
that Caused the European War 

By bob ROGERS 




Gopyiig]it}^^_ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



MARS' MASTER 



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''The voice of Humanity addresses thee in 
pain and protest." 



MARS' MASTER 

A Classical Exposition of Material Influences 
that Caused the European War 

By bob ROGERS 



1916 
John P. Morton & Company 

INCORPORATED 
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY 






Copyright, 1916 

BY 

ROBERT C. ROGERS 



^1. 



AUG iO 1916 



r 



©CU4a8003 



TO MY SON 

MILTON B. 



EXPLANATOEY 

Finding a particular grain of 
sand in the desert without any 
identifying mark or description, 
were a kindergarten problem 
against the task of getting at the 
real truth about the cause of 
the frightful war now raging in 
Europe, for students and thinking 
men know full well that the most 
skilled writers, the greatest ana- 
lysts, philos'ophers and mathema- 
ticians in the nations involved in 
the conflict — and this includes 
noted statesmen and in not a few 
instances heads of governments — 
are laboring industriously in their 
literary pursuits to conceal the evi- 
dence of a crime against civilization 
7 



EXPLANATORY 

which, stands without a parallel in 
the history of the world. 

Since the first mobilization orders 
went forth to electrify the sleeping 
armies of Europe and rouse them 
into action, the belligerent powers 
repeatedly have accused each other, 
officially and unofficially, of pre- 
cipitating the war. Charges and 
countercharges have been hurled 
back and forth over the heads of 
frenzied millions on the fields of 
battle. The lie has been passed 
across international boundaries 
countless times, while deliberate 
attempts have been made by re- 
spected men of learning, aiming to 
create unified sentiment, to fool the 
gullible masses with theories they 
knew to be false. 
8 



EXPLANATORY 

Specifically, a noted educator 
identified with one of the great 
universities in Berlin, published it 
as his own belief that war is 
natural, therefore inevitable, and 
according to the law of change as 
it was explained by the late Charles 
Darwin. A professor of equal 
prominence in one of the great 
English colleges, denounced this 
statement in terms that could not 
be misunderstood while the help- 
less people stood by and wondered 
which was right. 

Again, the German Imperial 
Government declared that the Ger- 
man soldiery found papers in 
Belgium proving a secret treaty 
between that country and England; 
the point being made that Belgium 



EXPLANATOEY 

actually sold out lier neutrality 
long before the commanders of 
Teuton legions demanded an open 
road through the town of Liege. 
England's masterfully worded re- 
ply to this charge was a denial, of 
course, and once more the public 
mind was led astray. 

The reason for this war of words 
is quite obvious to those whose 
method of finding solutions to 
problems begins with a study of 
motives: The different countries 
realize that they are facing the 
dreaded period of reconstruction 
{almost as nerve-racking in its 
effect upon a nation as ivar itself) 
ivhen public opinion must decide 
whatever advantage one country 
shall have over another in the 

10 



EXPLANATORY 

matter of good ivill. Explicitly the 
nation that emerges from the 
hedlamism of battle in victory or 
defeat, it matters not ivhich, ivith 
the favor and friendship of the rest 
of the ivorld, ivill have this strong 
and encouraging sentiment as an 
influence to future progress. 

So let lis realize the fact that all 
the powers in Europe covet the 
friendship and co-operation of all 
the neutrals in the coming years. 
Without it there can be no industrial 
development in any one country in 
Europe to insure the permanency 
of Grovernment, continuation of 
character, personality, national 
ideals, advancement in education 
and all things else. The value of 
this friendship of the neutrals can- 
11 



EXPLANATORY 

not be estimated in figures or 
words, but it is great enough for 
the nations of Europe to assign 
their best talent to compete for its 
capture. 

With so many men of world- 
prominence debating with each 
other on the cause of the war, it 
may seem presumptuous if not 
audacious on my part to write on 
the same subject. But even if it 
does appear that I am matching 
my poor talents against those of 
greater men, it can never be said 
that I am prejudiced against any 
race of people, and I feel, therefore, 
that I am entitled to exoneration 
on the ground that my motive, to 
find the truth and nothing else, is 
an honorable one. 

12 



EXPLANATOEY 

I believe that the war in Europe 
really began many years ago, when 
those treaties were signed. The 
first person, or the first group of 
persons that promoted a contract 
between three nations, binding them 
to support each other in a defensive 
war, created a condition that made 
war inevitable. After the forma- 
tion of '^The Triple Entente^' and 
"The Triple Alliance'* it was only 
a question of time before an im- 
petuous deed, like the assassination 
of Ferdinand and Sophia, would be 
taken as the signal for military 
action. 

But still there is another power- 
ful agency that had much to do 
with events leading up to the pre- 
cipitation of the war, and those 



EXPLANATOEY 

who would know something about 
this influence are invited to read 
this little play to its conclusion, 
beginning with the understanding 
that the work was suggested by one 
of the notes written by Woodrow 
Wilson, President of the United 
States, to the German Imperial 
Government on the Lusitania case 
in behalf of Humanity. 

The ^'Court of World- 
Knowledge,'' where the scene 
is laid, should be interpreted to 
mean what the world will know 
when all is said and done. In 
other words, the interior of the 
mind of the world is here presented 
as it will appear in condition when 
the facts are known. ''History" 
is the judge on the bench because 

14 



EXPLANATORY 

it is History tliat will some day 
decide who is responsible for the 
war. ' ^ Hnmanity ' ' is introduced as 
the prosecuting witness inasmuch 
as it is Humanity who suffers most. 
"Christian'' comes into the play, 
representing Christianity, as the 
lover of Humanity. In a word, 
love of Humanity is the first and 
highest principle of Christianity. 
Where this sentiment is lacking 
Christianity does not exist. 

Upon its doubtful and uncertain 
career I start this little book sus- 
tained by the knowledge that its 
contents awakening even so much 
as some slight moiety of sympathy 
for Humanity, it has not been in 

vain. 

The Authok. 

15 



MARS' MASTER 

By Bob Rogers 

DRAMATIS PERSONAE 

History Adjudicator 

Humanity Prosecuting Witness 

Fool. 

Commercialism. 

Journalism. 

Intruder An Uncalled Witness 

Christian Humanity's Advocate 

Sce7ie: Court of World-Knowledge. 

Time: At the end of the European War. 



MAES' MASTER 



Mars' Master 

Scene 1: The Court of W odd- 
Knowledge. In the distance the 
figure of Justice, blindfolded, and 
holding out her scales, stands 
above the earth between the 
American and European conti- 
nents. History, turning over 
papers in ivhich he is deeply 
interested apparently ivhen Hu- 
manity, groaning aloud, staggers 
into the court and falls before 
the rostrum. Humanity raises 
her head and in a iveak voice 
speaks: 

Humanity: 

Most liigh, most miglity, most 
equitable, and most beneficent 
History: Humanity lies prostrate 
before thee pleading for recognition. 

19 



MARS' MASTER 

History: 

Is it come to this! Humanity, 
trusting, mild and unoffending on 
bended knee! What cruel fortune's 
dragged thee down from rightful 
reign to lowly supplication! Arise, 
and weep no more. By that bond 
of sympathy and faith between us, 
I pledge thee deepest devotion. In 
the Court of World-Knowledge, 
where exists no prescribed, tech- 
nical procedure, thou art welcome. 
Make known thy slightest will and 
History is thy minister. 

Humanity : 

Just and generous History, the 
voice of Humanity addresses thee 
in pain and protest, moved to 

20 



MARS' MASTER 

speech by heavy and disquieting 
wounds inflicted by some craven, 
malevolent and hidden enemy! 

History: 

Ila! Didst thou say '' hidden ene- 
my f Enemy that strikes from 
place of concealment. What mortal 
could be so like the devil to assail 
our beloved and defenseless Hu- 
manity! Nay, do not weep, for 
History will soften thy wounds, 
expose thy enemy, and redress thy 
wrongs. Haste me to know the 
circumstances. 

Humanity: 

It was nearing the close of the 
summer of 1914. I was happy and 
content, for the nations 'of the 

21 



MARS' MASTER 

world were at peace with each 
other, and Gl^od in His heaven 
showered His blessings with a 
bounteous hand upon the earth 
and its toiling millions. The poor 
cobbler sat in his doorway as the 
light of the amber sun died out of 
the sky, singing his song of thanks 
to the Almighty as he worked and 
earned sustenance for his little 
family. The shops were busy; the 
factories humming with industry; 
the fields gave forth abundance of 
her products for all mankind; the 
flowers never bloomed more fair, 
and the lark soaring in the meadow, 
sang a song that was soothing and 
sweet, when suddenly and without 
warning, some demon of blackest 
darkness, with subtle cunning and 

22 



MARS^ MASTER 

heartless premeditation let slip the 
dogs of war, and the roseate 
picture of calm, freedom, and love, 
faded into a vista of death and 
destruction! Germany, England, 
France, Russia, Austria-Hungary, 
Italy, Turkey, Belgium, Serbia, all 
were dragged into the desperate 
conflict, and amid the shifting 
seasons, through smiling spring 
and summer, and winter's snow 
and ice, rended each other to 
pieces, and steeped their brutal 
hands in the blood of Humanity. 

History: 

No more! I pray thee speak no 
more. Thou griev'st me to the 
soul where welling springs of 

23 



MAES' MASTER 

sjTupathy, moved by tliy tragic 
recital, run over mtli tlie scalding 
tears of sorrow. Tlion wilt name 
the author of this monstrous 
crime so History, with the damning 
evidence, may write it down on the 
tables of everlasting memory. 



Humanity: 

Nay, I know not who, nor how, nor 
why. I only know that I heard 
something about the breaking oif 
of diplomatic relations, and then 
the storm of strife broke in all its 
fury. 

History: 

Thou didst hear of the breaking off 
of diplomatic relations! Then we 
will call Diplomacy, from whose 

24 



MARS^ MASTER 

lips we'll hear the name of thy 
foe. Diplomacy, thou are sum- 
moned to the Court of World- 
Knowledge. 

[Enter Fool in cap 

and hells singing.] 

^'At the battle of the Nile, 
They were fighting all the while — 
They were fighting all the while, 
At the battle of the Nile. 
At the battle of the Nile, 
They were fighting all the while — 
They were fighting all the while, 
At the battle of the Nile.'' 

History: 

What means t thou by this im- 
pudence! And why dost thou 
answer to the call for Diplomacy? 
Thou art not Diplomacy. 

25 



MARS^ MASTER 
Fool: 

Thou art right and wrong, History, 
and so thy reputation for accuracy 
is good and bad. No, I am not 
Diplomacy, but I was Diplomacy 
until they gave me the name of 
^'Fool." See the cap and bells? 
I^ faith, I like the costume, and 
the name, too, fits me nicely. 

History: 

Fool, thy presence in the Court 
of "World-Knowledge shall be of 
benefit, for one thing thou dost 
prove that there is something in a 
name. And so, for the sake of 
technical accuracy, and according 
to legal custom, we'll call thee 
^'Diplomacy, alias Fool." Diplo- 

26 



MAES' MASTER 

macy alias Fool, to tliy credit tliou 
didst maintain friendly relations 
'twixt the Powers of Europe. 
Thou didst conduct negotiations 
for the different countries in the 
summer of 1914, and from thee 
History would know the cause of 
the war. 

Fool: 

No more than that? Indeed, His- 
tory, 'tis as plain as thy ignorance : 
albeit I will explain as follows: It 
was some time after the Franco- 
Prussian War of 1870, that Ger- 
many, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, 
through their duly authorized 
agents, formed what is known as 
^'The Triple Alliance." This 
treaty was the result of an hy- 

27 



MAES' MASTER 

pothetical neoplasm of the con- 
stitutional rights of the Teutonic 
and Slavonic unifications. Then 
England, France, and Russia, 
anticipating a heterogeneous con- 
stellation of the equinox, signed a 
contract along similar lines styled 
''The Triple Entente." Under the 
circumstances described, with three 
nations on one side, and three on 
the other, the natural result was 
administrative confusion through 
the orthosymmetrical transposition 
of governmental functions. The 
negative and positive vibrancy of 
the subtangent, growing out of the 
clavicornia, and the ellipsis of 
the quadrilateral negotiations, pre- 
cipitated the combat. See how 
simple it is? 

28 



MAES' MASTER 

History: 

Away with thee and thy meaning- 
less platitudes! Humanity, I do 
not mean to chide thee, but thou 
wert reckless indeed to trust thy 
happiness and well-being into the 
hands of this blundering clown. 
Better hadst thou thrown thy for- 
tunes to the aimless winds with a 
prayer to the Grod of Chance to 
favor thee. 

Humanity : 

Nay, it was not I that did it. It 
was not I that commissioned Diplo- 
macy to act. It was the Sovereign 
rulers, who slighted all considera- 
tion of war's effect on Humanity. 
Ignored me in mine own affairs of 
government, for all government 
belongs to Humanity. 

29 



MAES' MASTER 

History: 

Then we will call these rulers, if 
in our words we may honor them 
as such, and make them reveal the 
hidden facts. 

Humanity : 

No, no, I pray you do not call 
them. I know what they will say. 
'Tis written here. 

[Humanity hands History a 
hiindle of papers. History 
reads as follows'] : 

'^ England entered the war in de- 
fense of Belgian neutrality after 
the conflict had been originated by 
Germany. 

"{Signed) George F." 

30 



MARS' MASTER 

'' Germany declared war in self- 
defense, while Russian soldiers 
were mobilizing on German 
borders. England engineered the 
political situations preceding the 
conflict for the destruction of 
German Commerce. 

"(Signed) William 11.'' 



''Belgium proclaimed her neutral- 
ity to all the world, but we were 
attacked by Germany and forced 
into the trenches against our will. 
We fought for the right to be 

peaceful. 

''{Signed) Albert.'' 



''France declared war while Ger- 
man soldiers were advancing on 

31 



MAES' MASTER 

French borders. In self-defense 
and to uphold the honor of our 
treaty pledge to Eussia. 

' ' {Signed) Poincaire. ' ' 

^^ Eussia was bound to remain loyal 
to her Serbian ally when attacked 
without provocation by Germany. 
''{Signed) Nicholas 11.'' 

' ' My son and daughter-in-law were 
foully slain as the result of a 
Serbian plot, and an insulting dis- 
regard of our sincere appeal for 
justice was equivalent to an act of 
war, and thus the Dual Monarchy 
was compelled to draw the sword. 
' ' {Signed) Franz Joseph, ' ' 

''Serbia was not to blame for the 
assassination of Ferdinand and 
Sophia. It was the act of an 

32 



MAES' MASTER 

anarchist! Though robbed of 
Bosnia and Herzegovina, we were 
extravagant in our offers of repara- 
tion to the Dual Monarchy, but 
Franz Joseph, with the Kaiser at 
his back and panting in his ear, 
issued the first declaration of war. 
''{Signed) 

''Peter Karageorgevitch.^^ 

^'Turkey kept out of the war until 
she learned of a conspiracy among 
the Entente Allies to give her lands 
to Eussia. 

"{Signed) Enver Pasha. ^^ 

''Italy's righteous cause was the 
recovery of property stolen by the 
Dual Monarchy. 
"{Signed) 

' ' Victor Emmanuel. ' ' 
33 



MAES' MASTER 

History: 

Enough! Enoiigli! With such con- 
flicting testimony as this the task 
is hopeless. We must have more 
reliable witnesses. 

Humanity : 

Noble and righteous History, the 
Count Leo Tolstoy did write a book 
in which he did say that Com- 
mercialism would plunge the world 
into a war'. Perchance 'twill not 
be in vain to question Commer- 
cialism. 

History: 

Commercialism, thou wilt come to 
the Court of World-Knowledge and 
tell thy part in the war. 

34 



MAES' MASTER 
Commercialism : 

With all the solemnity of a devout 
and faithful soul in the presence 
of the Deity, I do proclaim mine 
innocence. War means destruction, 
and Commercialism means con- 
struction. I provide employment 
for all, food for all, homes for all, 
education for all, rich and poor 
alike, and thus, under my influence 
the progress of the world goes on. 
I owe my existence to the toiling 
masses; not the classes. — I am the 
masses! The masses did not seek 
for war and therefore the con- 
science of Commercialism is clear. 
Under the great natural law, there 
must be leaders and followers. If 
the leader is honest, he is the 

35 



MARS^ MASTER 

helmsman wIto guides the vessel 
away from the rocks to the harbor 
of safety. Otherwise, woe betide 
the trusting ones who look to him 
for guidance. I do believe that the 
few, with those subtle arts and 
wiles known to political science, 
practiced witchcraft on the many, 
and led them as the shepherd leads 
his flock, into the valley of death. 
And all during the progress of the 
march over the highways of ruin 
and disaster, the name of Commer- 
cialism was 'a target for the shafts 
of slanderers. Thus, the real 
criminals made their escape while 
Commercialism, innocent of wrong, 
was tried and convicted in the pub- 
lic mind. But in the Court of 
World-Knowledge, I shall be ex- 

36 



MARS' MASTER 

onerated on mine own defense, 
based on the fact tli'at I provide 
employment for all, food for all, 
homes for all, education for all, 
rich and poor alike, and so, under 
my influence the progress of the 
world goes on. 
(Exeunt.) 

History: 

Humanity, I do believe that Com- 
mercialism is thy true and loyal 
friend, and therefore blameless. 
We must have still more witnesses. 

Humanity: 

Alas, History, I do not know but 
■one, and that is Truth. But Truth 
deserted me at the opening of the 
war and I have sought her since 
in vain. 

37 



MARS' MASTER 

History: 

Nevertheless we will call Truth. 
Truth, thy adored and radiant 
presence is importuned in the Court 
of World-Knowledge. She does 
not answer — Truth, shining and 
beauteous angel of honorable pur- 
pose, we pray thee come — She does 
not answer. Truth, fairest flower, 
in the garden of righteousness. 
History addresses thee in fervent 
prayer in behalf of suffering Hu- 
manity. Truth — Ah! She comes! 
She comes! I see her form in the 
distance! I knew she would not — 

Humanity: 

No, no. History, this is not Truth. 
This is Journalism. He can tell 

3S 



MARS' MASTER 

us nothing, and, therefore, he is 
out of place in the Court of World- 
Knowledge. 

History: 

Nay, be not too hasty. Journalism 
perchance may know the where- 
abouts of Truth. We will question 
him — Thou art Journalism, art 

thou? 

Journalism: 

I am Journalism. 

History: 

Journalism, thou wert the lover of 
Truth. Where is she? 

Journalism: 

Nay, I know not for Censorship 
has stolen her away from me, and 

39 



MARS' MASTER 

I cannot live witliout her. She 
disappeared at the inception of the 
war, when Falsehood came io take 
her place. But Falsehood can 
ne'er ingratiate herself into the 
favor of Journalism. I loathe and 
detest her as a bawdy thing. Her 
charms are evil and naught com- 
pared to the virtues and attractions 
of my beloved Truth. I seek for 
Truth, and I will find her in spite 
of Censorship. (Exeunt.) 

History: 

Fare thee well Journalism, and God 
be with thee in the search. Until 
we find Truth, History will never 
know the cause of the war. 



40 



MARS' MASTER 

[Enter Intruder, sJirieJcing 
and laughing hysterically 
and singing.'] 

^^The Sword of Mars is unslieathed 
Yo-ho ! and the slangliter goes on ; 
But. the legions of death are 

relentless, 
Till a glorious victory's won." 

History: 

Ho! this way with the guard! 
Seize him ! By all the gods I swear 
thy profanity condemns thee to the 
rack! 

Intruder: 

[Laughing derisively.] 
The rack! Ha, ha, — Why, we are 
kinsmen, the rack and I, — kinsmen 
by all the laws of sympathy and 

41 



MAES' MASTER 

blood, — mostly blood. And believe 
me History, he's 'a jolly rogue for 
royal entertainment. 

History: 

What saturated wabbler art thou! 
Thy name? Speak! 

Intruder: 

My name? Ha, ha, ha! Why, 
canst thou not tell by the light in 
mine eyes that I am Insanity? Ha, 
ha, ha! I am here to confess to 
thee that it was I that precipitated 
the war in Europe. I am here 'to 
tell thee that it was Insanity that 
directed the slaughter of the in- 
nocents, but thou canst no-t punish 
me for I am not responsible, and 

42 



MARS' MASTER 

here's the reason why: Man is 
accepted as the masterpiece of God. 
Man was created with the faculty 
to judge between right and wrong, 
and it was the bestowal of this gift 
that released the Almighty from 
responsibility, and so, each man 
must work out his own salvation — 
But Insanity was not so favored. 
I was denied the power of judg- 
ment and understanding and my 
creator must answer for my deeds 
of violence and wrong. And 
wouldst thou know my creator! 
Why, I am the fruit of men's folly 
and if thou wouldst learn how I 
oame into being in Europe, test 
the bloodstream of the European 
nobility — Think about the poverty 
and the crime of Italy — Ponder 

43 



MAES' MASTER 

well tlie oppression, the slavery, 
and ignorance of Russia — Observe 
the intemperance and race suicide 
of France — Consider the inter- 
marriage of the English royal 
family — Heed you the Hapsburg 
tragedies, and pity Grermania 
'ncath the iron heel of militarism — 
The nobility is responsible for me, 
and at these men I point the accus- 
ing finger and condemn them 
to everlasting damnation — And 
again I say that I plunged the 
world into a war, and if thou art 
skeptical about this, I will remind 
thee that it was B'almes, the great 
Spanish philosopher, who did write 
a book in which he did say that the 
reformation in England during the 
reign of Henry VIII, was due to 

44 



MARS' MASTER 

the state of mind of the people; to 
the turbulent mental conditions 
created by centuries of force, and 
violence, and bloodshed, originating 
back beyond the time when Rome 
was in the ascendency. Ha, ha, ha ! 
Verily it is possible for races of 
people, like individuals, to act 
under the spell of madness. And 
as proof of this I tell you that 
the last words of the Son of Man, 
as he died on the cross, were: 
*^ Father, forgive them; they know 
not what they do." Ha, ha, ha, 
ha, ha! — Aye! Indeed, I am the 
Master of Mars ! The God of War 
is obedient to the will of Insanity! 
The world is gone mad, and In- 
sanity is King with millions of 
subjects — H, ha, ha! And History 

45 



MAES' MASTEE 

will decide that it was Insanity 
that caused the war in Europe. 

[As Insanity rushes out 
Humanity reels and falls.] 

History: 

God, oh God — If ever pity moved 
Thee look down upon this fainting 
form and feel it now. See, see 
Humanity abject and wretched as 
Mary at the cross. High and Holy 
Sovereign — Sublime Personality of 
Heaven — We acknowledge Thee 
Creator of all things — Giver of 
light and air and nature's qualities, 
but these are naught without Thy 
blessing. 



46 



MAES' MASTER 

Humanity: 

[Recovering and speaking 

dreamily.] 
Sweet song of love and peace — 
strength — confidence — children 's 
prattle — sunshine — flowers, and 
blessed Hope, all, all forever lost. 
'Gulfed in the maelstrom of Des- 
pair. Oh, woe is me! Oh, woe 
is me! 

History: 

"Woe indeed to so resign. Rouse — 
Rouse thy sinking spirit. Thy 
future with promise awaits thee. 

Humanity: 

[Struggling to free herself.] 
Mine enemy lurks in the future. 

47 



MAES' MASTER 

History: 

I pledge myself thine enemy to 
destroy. 

[History releases Humanity 
as she shows signs of com- 
posure.] 

Humanity : 

Alas ! History, Insanity is an enemy 
thy pen can describe, but never 
destroy. 

History: 

Then I'll strive until I fail; nor 
comply without a struggle. I tell 
thee. Humanity, thy yielding soul 
has brought thee ruin, for villainy 
finds opportunity in weakness. 
Think of this, and know that Grod 
will send his legions to defend thee. 

48 



MAES' MASTEE 

[As these tvords are spoken, 
a melodious voice is heard 
singing in the distance.] 

' ' Oh, come all ye faithful, 
Joyful and triumphant," etc. 

[History and Humanity 
• stand transfixed in listening 
attitude. As the song rises 
in volume, Humanity looks 
toward the sound and cries'] : 

Oh, spare me this reminder of 
death. It is a soldier! 

[As History advances to 
protecJ^ her, enter Christian, 
armed with sivord and shield, 
and finishing his song.] 



49 



MARS' MASTER 

Christian: 

Aye! I am a soldier; a soldier in 
the service of God. Behold! I 
am Christian. I come to pledge 
allegiance everlasting and undying 
to wronged Humanity. 

[Humanity throivs herself 
weeping on Christian' s 
hosom, while History 
mahes the sign of the cross 
murmuring] : 
^'Lord, God of Hosts, my prayer 
is answered. ' ' 

Christian: 

Peace! Peace, Humanity. It is I, 
Christian, that gives thee peace. 
Thy sorrows run their course, and 

50 



MAES' MASTER 

Christian comes to lead tliee to the 
Garden of Happiness. Tranquil 
and serene it nestles there in the 
placid sea of after years. It is the 
Grarden of the World when civiliza- 
tion comes into its own. Sounding 
with the patter of children's 
feet; laughter of Youth; sweet 
music vibrating from joyous souls 
through vales of smiling blossoms, 
and supreme over all the inspiring 
and protecting presence of God. 

Humanity: 
And dost thou know the way? 

Christian: 

I do, and I will tell thee. Listen: 
There is a land beyond the seas 

51 



MARS' MASTER 

that points the way. Abiding place 
of liberty and justice. Where love 
of Humanity is instinctive under 
the influence of Truth and the 
lessons of the Nazarene. 'T was 
separated by God, in His wisdom, 
from all the rest to mingle races in 
the birth of the future civilization. 
Come! 

[As Christian holds out 
his hand, the stars in the 
heauens fade out gradually 
until a cross of stars is 
formed in the place ivhere 
Justice stood on the world 
hetiveen the tivo conti- 
nents. As they move to- 
tvard exit, hands joined, 
History speaks.] 



52 



I 



MARS' MASTER 

History: 

And History records the glorious 
truth that Christianity and Hu- 
manity are one and inseparable. 

CUETAIN 



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ENCOMIUMS 



ENCOMIUMS 

Louisville, Ky., January 20, 1916. 

Mr. R. C. Rogers, Louisville Herald, City. 

My Dear Mr. Rogers: 

I was sorry you hurried off before the 
meeting broke up the other night as I 
wanted an opportunity to tell you how much 
I enjoyed the recital of your play — It was 
fine! I knew you were a fine news writer, 
but I did not know before that you had in 
you so much of the combination of historian, 
poet, and philosopher, not to mention your 
histrionic power. It surely was a great treat 
to everybody, and it certainly was to me. 

Sincerely yours, 

A. Y. Ford. 



[The above letter was written a few days 
after a reading of "Mars' Master" at the 
annual meeting of the Engineers' and Archi- 
tects' Club of Louisville. The writer is 
President of the Board of Trustees of the 
University of Louisville, one of the foremost 
institutions of learning in the South.] 

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The following articles appeared in the 
columns of The Neivs Democrat, Paducah, 
Ky., January 6, 1916, the next day after a 
meeting of the Paducah Rotary Club at 
which "Mars' Master" was the principal 
event on the programme: 



"BOB" ROGERS DELIGHTS ROTARIANS 

WITH "MARS' MASTER," AN 

ALLEGORY. 

In the diary of their meetings the Paducah 
Rotarians have set down yesterday's lunch- 
eon gathering at the Palmer House as the 
most enjoj^able. They do this because of the 
presence there of Robert C. "Bob" Rogers, 
of the Louisville Herald, as the honor guest, 
and the fact that he gave them during the 
demi-tasse and cigars his allegorical arrange- 
ment of the World War, "Mars' Master," 
which it appears is about to make him 
famous. 

The idea embodied in the allegory showed 
Mr. Rogers to be a thinker of unusual genius 
for originality, clear perception and grasp of 
fundamental truth and the manner in which 
the idea is clothed and given expression 
showed him to be a rare master of the 

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English language and a man of genuine 
artistic powers. One might exhaust all the 
pompous and bizarre adjectives in the lan- 
guage and not exaggerate the value of his 
sketch both as a piece of literature and as 
an expose of war. 

In the course of the allegory Mr. Rogers 
attempts, and succeeds to an admirable de- 
gree, to show the true aspect of war and its 
real effect on mankind. His manner of pre- 
sentation is in a court scene. He conceives 
a "Court of World-Knowledge," with War on 
trial. Humanity is the prosecuting witness 
and History is the judge. The court is try- 
ing to get at the cause of the crime of War 
and in the course of the trial calls as wit- 
nesses for examination. Diplomacy, the 
Rulers of the Warring Nations, Commer- 
cialism, Truth, and Journalism. 

These witnesses are questioned in the 
order mentioned, but without the court being 
successful in fixing the responsibility for the 
war. Then, as the court sits baffled, a 
hideous wild-eyed creature, babbling in- 
sanely, staggers into the court room. Judge 
History demands to know who the mad 
stranger is and the new arrival cries out 
that he is Insanity and confesses to having 
caused the war in Europe. History wants to 
know from whence he comes and Insanity 

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replies that to determine his origin the blood 
of the depraved European nobility must be 
examined. 

Thus the author of the allegory shows that 
the insane lust of the European nobility for 
power, wealth, and dominion rears up the 
monster Insanity, which is the breeder of 
War. Mr. Rogers lays no blame for the 
great War on the people of the warring na- 
tions, but upon the rulers. For example, he 
thinks there are no finer people than the 
Germans as a people, but hates the corrupt, 
avaricious German nobility that has set these 
noble people to such inhuman and disgrace- 
ful tasks. 

The time of the allegory is directly after 
the close of the great war now raging. 



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ROTARIANS GIVEN A TREAT. 

Paducah Rotarians are deeply indebted to 
Rotarian Bob Rogers, of Louisville, who at 
the Rotarian luncheon Wednesday gave the 
gathering by far the greatest treat which has 
been enjoyed in the history of the organiza- 
tion. For a period of twenty minutes Mr. 
Rogers gave an allegorical picture, the theme 
of which centered about the great European 
conflict. In a style in which beauty of word 
painting blended with a charm of delivery 
his drama of war and reality was presented 
as a gem long to be remembered by all who 
heard it. If the Louisville Rotary Club has 
on its membership any more at home like 
Bob Rogers there is a vacant chair ever 
ready for him at any of the delightful gather- 
ings of the Paducah Rotarians. And by the 
way, should Rotarian Rogers ever feel an 
inclination to visit Paducah again there will 
be a waiting delegation composed of the en- 
tire membership to give him welcome. 

— Editorial Page. 



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